This is an archive of CompuServe forum messages from 1985 to 1995, as saved in transcripts by John Foust.
Search Results (100 messages)
>>>>I hope that somebody will take this comments in account when Hash Inc decides to make version 3.0. Dejan, A:M is going through some major interface redesigning right now, it might be too late for your message… The time will tell if they will make the program friendlier or not.…
George, I did't see Michael's message (I am using WinCis and sometimes I miss things and later it is too late ) I hope what I said about hash is somehow relevant to his concernes… As for Hash, it is a very powerful suite of programs that are especially well…
George, >>>I don't know of any 3D software that does not initially subdivide curved surfaces into facets. If you don't mind me jumping in, but this is exactly how Animation:Master and Playmation from Hash, Inc work — with splines and patches. Their curves aren't maybe as easy to control as…
>>>I mean, I love A:M and I love working with it, but some things just drive me nutso. Peter, this seems to be the standard relationship with A:M ;=) The transparency troubles you describe are just part of those "quirks" everybody sooner or later runs into… The reason I jumped…
>>>>With all of your competitors being able to take advantage of an OpenGL hardware accelerator in rendering, won't AM appear to render like a snail? From what I hear OpenGL doesn't do a thing for raytracing, it is good for the "more mechanical" kind of rendering (no true shadows, reflections…
>>>>a dark red (140/0/0) segment that is 70 % transparent is placed in front of another dark red seg. (same color). This second seg now is opaque. The color of the intersection should also now be dark red, but it is bright red. The two reds seem to be added…
>>>>What specifically are you addressing when you say that the OpenGL only applies to preview rendering? Erik, All I know is what Steve wrote about it. Here is his message: >>>>No news yet on how the OpenGL accelerators will improve the performance of our software… they are more geared for…
>>>I believe that Matrox has one or more new cards out for the PC that support OpenGL. Mark, Thanks for the info! And as ususal I had to buy something else… ;< (bad chice again!) I just got Dimond's Viper ProVideo that in adition to 1024×1268 in 24 bit claims…
>>>"ReBoot" has proven that "life-like" human characters can be done (neglecting the blue and green skin -but what the hey, they are pioneers!), But isn't ReBoot a video game pretending to be a cartoon?…
Erik, >>>The hardware accelerator's can perform the renderings at speeds many times greater than the main CPU (which of course leaves the CPU free to conduct other tasks). Are any of those on the market (who makes them)? Would they work with our PCs or Macs? What kind of money…
>>I can't wait for the Multi-processor PMacs with the 620 chip! Is PMac going multiprocessor? I've thought this was out of the question… Pawel
Jim, >>>I hope you get your video card problems worked out soon, its no fun having a new toy not work correctly! Yes, those things do get on your nerves… I have been around long enough not to expect too much from things that just appeared on the matket… My…
#Probs w/ PPC Versions
Message #2574
Jim, I did do some partial tests with the Clam.cho. Both the computers have 32 megs of RAM. Both run Windows for Workgroups and the 32 bit file acces was enabled. The project files were copied over and not used over the network. The basic antialised 640×480 took 3.24 min…
Jim, I will also test those files… My Pentium is partially up and running, so I could at least do the windows tests… I've been too bussy to fix all the little quirks that showed up, like not being able to load WW3.11 when I turn on the 32 bit…
>>>Now on a lighter note, I was wondering if you had uploaded any of your work to CIS. I am always curious to see how others are using AM. If your worried I promise not to infringe your copyright 😉 Chris, No, I have not. So far all my work…
>>>So how do POP artists get away with using the work of others ? .. Does Warhol's estate pay a fee to the Campbell Soup Co. every time a print of "100 Cans" is sold ? Chris, I have no idea. (I am just an artist). Maybe the difference is…
>>>If the artist doesn't profit by his interpretation is he violating the law ? Why not?… After all the copyright laws exist to protect those who either create or pay for original artwork. In my opinion the harm is greater if you give away stolen work than when you sell…
>>>Mostly because how would the program know what to take apart??? Grady, You must have missed my earlier messages where I did explain how… In any case, Steve does know about the idea even if it showed up to late for a closer examination for A:M 3.0… Pawel
Michael, I have no idea how the standards were established other than the standards are what they are — that is the VGA width/hight ratio = 1.00. The display systems include all the things you mentioned — TV "pixels" for example are not square, so you have to build-in the…
>>>>Is there a formula for calculating correct aspect ratios for non-standard frame dimensions? Michael, The rule number one is not to get confused… Aspect ratios exist only for different display systems — for printing it is always 100% (1.00) It is a question of how much you have to expand…
Michael, >>>Sorry, I didn't realize this was the criteria for the test, I thought it was just the test of 90Mhz pentium compared to the 8100. Oh well, maybe next time. I would be very interested to see your numbers without the Win/Worgroup 3.11 just as much… I hope to…
Michael, >>>I have a P-90 with 32megs. Do you run Windows with 32 bit disk access (Workgroups or 3.11)? Pawel
>>>Thanks for the numbers on the Camera Haze. Just curious, do you know what the numbers stand for? Percentage, pixels, etc…? I think the number is the distance (from camera's target) where the background color will blend with the scene… If the object is 1000 units away from the camera…
Jim, I never used motion blur, but did play with the haze a bit… I would sy that if you want just a little fog you should set the haze value pretty high 12000 — 20000. If it is too low the "air depth" will be look fake. This is…
Jim, I did make my orders already. On Monday I should have everything home: Pentium 90, 32 megs RAM, 545 meg IDE Hard Drive, 1.2 Gig external SCSI HD (used), 4M VRAM Video Card (new Viper VideoPro that combines 30 FPS MPEG Video with general PCI accereration — 1024×1280 in…
>>>HSH2SEG, I thought that this converts the DXF into a .seg file, does it work for you, or are you saying that your DXFs from corel import just fine? Sculpture 2.07 opens both Corel (2D) and TrueSpace (2D & 3D) DXF files directly, so there is no need for HSH2SEG.…
>>>I am under the impression that the import filter only works with 2D DXF's. With 2.07, I still have to use the DXF2SEG utility to import a 3D .DXF. Is it supposed to import both? Michael, The V.2.07 opens the 3D DXF files created in TrueSpace directly (Beveled type ect…
Jim, >>>On the networking, does Lantastic connect to Macs? In the company I work for, (for another 3 months ) they also have a Lantastic network. Plus a Cannon Laser copier w/Fiery. The funny thing with Fiery is that it connects _ONLY_ to Macs… and they have none. So the…
>>>>Then use the DXF2SEG utility to convert it. Michael, if it creates DXF files than I don't really need it. I already have TrueSpace and Imagine that can do that. Also, why do you need to convert the DXF if A:M can import it directly since the release 2.06? Pawel
>>>There is a $15 program called Font 3D that does an excellent job of extruding and beveling True Type fonts. It is from Studio Pon. It gives you a lot more flexibility than an import from Corel. What kind of files does it create? Where do I get it? Pawel
Michael, >>>I have tried a couple of different times to create the handrail of a spiral staircase. I don't think it is possible at this point with AM's modeler. Have you ever tried to use a macro recorder with the Sculpture? Using this combination it is possible to model some…
Jim, Thank you for your efforts… I got a calculator in my hand and pretty decided to stay with the PC for now… >>>how are your computers tied together now? The network? A simple Ethernet cards and Lantastic… Since it isn't that high speed (16-bit cards) I usually copy all…
>>>PMFJI, I notice you mentioned HSH3SEG, Have you gotten that to work? What's the trick…please? Sounds as you guys still have problems importing DXF files… I had some funny experience with this on the PC side. The update 2.06 was working OK with DXFs from TrueSpace but the 2.07 doesn't!…
>>>I just upgraded a couple of 486/66mhz PCs to Pentium/90mhz . The 90mhz Pentium is exactly 3 times faster rendering than the 486/66mhz. So, that's all there is… I thought it was 5 times… If that's the truth I better look at the PowerMac once more. (Alpha and all that…
Mark, >>It seems that you could put together a farm of used PCs cheaper than a farm of used MACs. Horsepower per dollar-wise. This must be one of those ESP messages ! Just today I registered for a computer auction tomorrow… Will see what people are willing to pay for…
Michael, >>>I'm thinking about a small business loan of $50,000. Then I could get a couple of Pentiums, PowerMacs, an Amiga and about 15 DX2/66's with 32 megs. I hope you have the business all lined up to pay for those toys. There are some painful lessons to be learned…
>>>In a subsequent message to Kevin I did state that the files are residing on a Novell Network that the PC is accessing. Is the server Mac or PC? Pawel
Grady, >>>First I would say If people read the manuals thorougly, then all of the whys would not exsist. If you want skinning, then it has to be seperated… what's the big deal??? I don't know what other people reading habits have to do with me asking "why?"… I've read…
Michael, Thanks for your input. Right now I am preparing myself for going back on my own (working for other people really sucks!) and have to make sure all my needs will be met. I have 2 486s, and am tossed between PowerMac and Pentium 90… Both have advantages (wchich…
Jim, >>>It may be the Novell Network that is slowing it down, last night it was 9 minutes per frame, today its 58 minutes! Woww! Yesterday I saw your message about the 9min (486 66) to 53 sec (PowerMac 6100) speed diferance and I started shopping for the PowerMac… If…
Michael, >>>I personally think that anyone who thinks that the interface is too confusing or difficult to use is just too lazy to learn it. I have to disagree with this. Good interface is a very important. In addition to the learning courve, you end up doing manually the job…
GreG, Thanks for the Imagine info. Since they decided to increase the resoulution I will get on their constand update program… (until now I was waiting for the IM 3.0) I have a very hard time seing what is going on with the mesh with the low rez. screen… The…
GreG, >>>This will change in Imagine 3.2, where you'll have 256 colors and the ability to use higher resolutions. When is it going to be out? Pawel BTW. Just today I got my CGW and there is a write-up on Imagine and your name and views are all over the…
Michael, >>>it seems to me that the only reason there aren't particle systems for spline models is because no one has actually expended the effort to create one. I am sure you are right on this. The real question is: will there be somebody who will do it? This is…
Steve, Yesterday I got an error/warning message that was programed in instead or "Are you sure?" when setting Lathe Precision value above 64… (it was 200 and it worked) It asked "Have you gone mental?" Now, remembering all this fight about a:M interface being non-standard, I would have to ask…
Jim, >>>how can I get a shadow to be very soft, if you don't mind giving away a trick? There is no trick at all. This is one of the functions in A:M (not Playmation)… Manual pg. 259. You have to use Bulb or Kleig lights — Type (T) 1…
Michael, >>>They are one example of a company that could care less what platform or application you use, as long as you can animate things to their requirements and output your animation into the required file format; ,tga, .gif, etc. This sound much better than in thw print world where…
>>>There are so many quality 3D applications available now that the industry is not looking for users of a particular program, instead, they see a piece of animation and want to know who created it; it is the artist that matters more than the application. Are sure, Michael that this…
Charlie, >>>While the print work is paying the bills, the 3D is really where I seem to be going. Same thing here. I use A:M, TrueSpace and Imagine for print mostly… I keep promissing myself to animate more, but still don't know much about selling animation and I hate working…
Steve, >>>The new Post module will increase the functionality of soft shadows… Great news! >>>Pawel, Our Boolean will be 3D of course! Will the splines continue from one shape to the other? If so will you be able to spec wchich ones should merge when adding two shapes onto one?…
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